Consider the Women: A Provocative Guide to Three Matriarchs of the Bible
Debbie Blue Eerdmans, 224 pages Reviewed by Deborah McKinley Speaking about Mary, the mother of Jesus, author Debbie Blue reveals the point..
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What’s right about Community Presbyterian Church?
Community Presbyterian Church — St. Maries, Idaho Our after-school celebrations began with a pizza party! In Dec. 2017, we scheduled the Christmas..
Life after death? Reflections on the Princeton Karl Barth Conference
Guest commentary by Raymond Anderson In mid-June (June 15-19, 2019) church leaders and scholars from several countries met at Princeton Theological Seminary..
Convocation for Communities of Color planned for Big Tent
(PNS) A Big Tent celebration filled with worship, music, conversation, and prayer is in store for those attending the Convocation for Communities..
You’re More Powerful than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen
Eric Liu PublicAffairs Books, 256 pages Reviewed by Allen Timm Community organizer and activist Eric Liu believes that individuals have the power..
The space in between
In response to the divisiveness surrounding the 2016 elections, poet and author David Whyte posted on his blog that it was time..
Holy needs
Two ice cream trucks came to our community when I was a child. The first sold Eskimo Pies, Bomb Pops and Orange..
Maddie Crum
“The name of the genre alone – self-help – suggests that in the face of hardship, be it personal or societal, the..
The right way to doubt (10 years ago)
10 Years ago — May 25, 2009 “Toxic forms of religion are killing us — sometimes literally, sometimes spiritually. It’s time to..
Called to transition
Guest commentary by Laura Viau “So… how many churches have you served?” I can understand why I get this question. If I’d..
A Sojourner’s Truth: Choosing Freedom and Courage in a Divided World
Natasha Sistrunk Robinson IVP Books, 208 pages Reviewed by Rachel Cheney As a former Marine Corps officer, seminary graduate and founder of..
What’s right about Green Acres Presbyterian Church?
Green Acres Presbyterian Church – Portsmouth, Virginia Danish and Devotions is our nursing home visitation project. Having five residents at a nearby retirement..
Health and growth: An assessment tool for churches in transition
Guest commentary by Nicole Farley In 2017 the Presbytery of Milwaukee received a grant, which made possible new ways of attending to..
Transitional ministry and cultural proficiency
Guest commentary by Jihyun Oh Transitional ministry can happen at any time. It can happen in a 10-year pastoral call when key..
A changing benefits structure for a changing church
It has become clear to us at the Board of Pensions that a one-size-fits-all benefits plan may have had a certain appeal..
The changing times of transitional ministry
Guest commentary by Susan Krummel When I was first trained as an interim minister in the 1990s, there was a clear path..
The in-between time: Interim ministry as sacred space
The tension in the congregation is high after the pastor announces a change in call. Questions abound: Can’t we just elect a..
Forgiveness and reconciliation: A visit to Rwanda
Guest commentary by Sarah Craven As we stood in the midst of a genocide memorial where over 50,000 people were buried and..
Burying White Privilege: Resurrecting a Badass Christianity
Miguel A. De La Torre Eerdmans, 168 pages Reviewed by D. Mark Davis Miguel A. De La Torre’s book, “Burying White Privilege,”..
Nicolas Marang
“Something just collapsed inside me. One of the worst things I’ve ever seen.” – Paris resident Nicolas Marang on seeing Notre Dame..
The National Council of Churches (70 years ago)
70 years ago — May 23, 1949 “The week of November 28 through December 2, 1950, bids fair to stand as one..
The Gospel of Faith and Justice
Antonio Gonzalez Orbis Books, 179 pages A second-generation liberation theology? That is what Antonio Gonzalez portends to write, taking a frank assessment..
Wonder of all wonders: A tribute to Rachel Carson
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” — Rachel Carson Let’s begin..
What’s right about Church of the Covenant?
Church of the Covenant — Arlington, Virginia What’s right about Church of the Covenant? We’ve got rhythm. The church’s children’s drum ensemble..
Regarding ruling elders: Ruling elders as commissioners
(OGA) The year was 1983 and the setting was a presbytery meeting called to consider the plan for reuniting the two branches of..